[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      ON THE LIFE OF JOHN H. FILER

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, it is with sadness that I rise to pay 
tribute to John H. Filer, who passed away on Sunday, September 18, 
after a long illness. Although he will be sorely missed by family, 
friends, and colleagues, I know that his distinguished record of 
service to the State of Connecticut, both as a business leader and a 
philanthropist, will be remembered far into the future.
  As the chairman of Aetna Life & Casualty for 12\1/2\ years, John 
obtained widespread recognition for his commitment to corporate 
responsibility. Demonstrating a sincere concern for both profits and 
people, he ardently believed that businesses and communities benefit 
from each other only when they work together. In an era when the 
corporation depended on the community for prosperity and the community 
depended on the corporation for growth, John built a socially conscious 
and beneficent Aetna.
  I ask unanimous consent that a Harford Courant editorial, which I 
believe best captures the true essence of John Filer, appear in the 
Record at the conclusion of my remarks.
  There being no objection, the editorial was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               [From the Hartford Courant Sept. 20, 1994]

                    John H. Filer, Community Builder

       John H. Filer, chairman of Aetna Life & Casualty Co. for a 
     dozen years and long a dominant presence in Hartford, was one 
     of the great business and civic leaders of his generation. 
     Mr. Filer, who died Sunday at age 70, was called by some the 
     ``shadow mayor'' and the ``archbishop''--suggesting he was 
     first among equals in the city's corporate hierarchy. A 
     quiet, forceful leader, he deserved such accolades.
       Mr. Filer was as concerned about Hartford as he was his 
     company's profits. Corporations, he noted, did business `'at 
     the sufferance of the community.
       His advocacy of corporate social responsibility and 
     philanthropy led to several major projects in Hartford and 
     the leadership of a commission to promote private giving. He 
     also led Aetna's rise to become the nation's largest 
     shareholder-owned insurance organization.
       A native of New Haven and former state senator, the tall, 
     soft-spoken Mr. Filer joined the Aetna in 1958 as a counsel 
     and was named CEO 14 years later. During his stewardship, 
     Aetna tripled its assets but saw its operating earnings fall, 
     largely because of diversification.
       It was during his tenure that Aetna made several major 
     community commitments, including much of the funding to build 
     the Hartford Civic Center complex and bring the Hartford 
     Whalers to the city. As the leader of a small group of the 
     city's top corporate officials known informally as the 
     bishops, he was able to galvanize others' support.
       And although other companies were leaving the city or 
     considering such a move, he expanded Aetna's Hartford base.
       Mr. Filer recruited numerous socially and politically 
     concerned younger people to work for the Aetna Foundation and 
     other outreach programs. He backed low- and moderate-income 
     housing projects along with educational, civil rights, legal 
     defense and health programs.
       He was active on the state and national scenes as well, 
     heading a commission bearing his name that studied ways to 
     streamline the state bureaucracy and advising and serving 
     presidents.
       The recent decline in corporate giving and community 
     involvement troubled Mr. Filer. In a recent interview, he 
     lamented the current focus on short-term profits and 
     competition. Business leaders, he said, ``should be part of 
     the enlightened group that calls the different factions and 
     players together and tries to do some intelligent planning 
     and tries to do some intelligent demonstration projects.''
       To the benefit of Hartford, John Filer lived by those 
     words. Others would do well to remember his legacy of 
     conducting business for corporation and community.

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